David Prowse, who played Darth Vader’s body in three Star Wars movies, is a bodybuilder and fitness trainer. He auditioned for the first Superman movie, but was passed over in favor of Christopher Reeve. However, Prowse was hired as a personal trainer to get Reeve into shape for the part. Prowse was touched by Reeve’s 1995 riding accident and saddened by his death in 2004. Now, at age 72, Prowse is involved with Walk Once More, a charity dedicated to spinal cord injury research.

He says, “I suppose I’m carrying on Chris’s legacy. It’s a privilege to have known him, and to now be involved with Walk Once More. My friend never did walk again, but someday we’ll find a way to cure this terrible affliction.”